Ethel Bess

Ethel R. West Bess, 89, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, July 30, 2007, at Saint Francis Medical Center.

She was born Feb. 16, 1918, to Jacob Eugene and Frances M. Settle West in St. Clair County, Mo. She married Earl C. Bess in 1953 and moved to the St. Louis area.

Ethel attended a rural school in St. Clair County, and in 1934 graduated valedictorian from Schell City, Mo., High School. She attended Central Missouri State and Southeast Missouri State universities. She became a CPS and CDP in 1966 and 1976.

After teaching eight years in rural schools, she moved to Cape Girardeau where she worked as bookkeeper and secretary at Pure Ice Co. She retired as manager of information administration in Ralston Purina's data processing division in 1983.

Ethel and her husband returned to Cape Girardeau in 1985. He died in 1989.

Surviving are two nephews and seven nieces, including Jeanene Moritz (Carl) of St. Louis and Joyce Edwards (Willard) of Gordonville; and also many great-nieces and great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters.

There will be no visitation or service.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.